Seattle Police Precinct 6th Avenue
18th December 2004 10.40 PM
Detective Gary Shane finished his coffee and slapped the cup onto the file covered table. He sighed loud enough for David to look up as she stood up and walked over to the window.
"This is one of the worst cases I've ever worked on."
"It is somewhat gruesome." David sat back tossing the pencil onto the table. Needing the break just as bad he stretched his back and listened.
"Sixteen years on the force, I thought I seen it all."
"Did Williams get over to St Oliver's Church?"
"I haven't heard."
"He called me and said he was meeting Agent Scully to ask about autopsy results."
"Well you know more than me then."
"How long have you been working with Detective Williams?" David asked turning his chair to face where Shane leaned against the cold glass.
"A little over three years. He's an amazing detective. Worked the private sector for years in California before he came up to Seattle."
"He seems a little on edge."
"That's the way he's always been." Shane touched the leg of the table with his foot. "He works better alone. You didn't work with him before?"
"No." "It must have before you were with Agent Scully. They worked together before."
"Oh?" David sat up, his interest piqued.
"It was a few years back. Didn't end so well, but it they seem to have patched things up."
"Yeah. I think she mentioned something," David lied wondering why she hadn't.
"Right. I'm going to call it a night." Shane gathered up his coat and slipped it on with a grunt. He paused to look at the files spread out on the table and looked up at Agent McLane. "You look like you could do with the rest too."
"Yeah I'm about to head off too."
"Tomorrow is another day."
Shane turned and left the small office closing the door behind him. McLane sat back into his chair, his thoughts disturbed by the rumble in his stomach. It was only then that he realised he hadn't eaten all day. While out on a case he always shared the evening meal with Dana and they used the time to mull over all the information they had gathered. Knowing she was now with Detective Frank Williams annoyed him more than he cared to realise. He took his jacket from the back of the chair and threw it on roughly. Collecting the files form the table he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled her number.
Waterville Apartments
18th December 2004 10.35PM
The room was dark with little light seeping through the thin blinds.
Scully was lying on her right side, facing the window, peering at it in the dim light she let her mind wander through the quiet stillness. Mulder, too, was on his right side, with his left arm across Scully's waist and his left leg thrown over hers. Unlike her, his eyes were closed.
Neither had said much after their tumultuous lovemaking. Mulder kept expecting her to make a quick exit but instead she seemed content to lie in his arms. He appeared calm although it was all show. Inside he was a mass of nerves. Was this the right time to talk about how he felt? About what he expected? Would there ever be a right time? How would he know? One thing he did know was that they had to talk. He opened his eyes. "Scully?"
"Hmmm?"
"Everything alright?"
It took a moment for her to answer. "Not exactly."
He rose up to his elbow to peer down at her, which told him little as he could only see her profile. "Meaning?"
She took in a deep slow breath. "Don't you feel weird lying here with me?"
Hesitating he finally nodded. "Yes I guess I do Scully." She turned onto her back to see his face. "I don't know. After meeting you again I started thinking weird thoughts. Like..." He hesitated.
"Like?"
"Like after this case was over I could keep you here in Seattle."
"Mulder I-," she began but he stilled her words with two gentle fingers on her lips.
"I know...I know." They fell silent again, but Mulder glanced up and caught her eyes. "Do you consider making love with me a mistake?"
She laughed mirthlessly. Trust Mulder to get straight to the point.
"I don't know what to call it. Obviously you affect me sexually." Her shoulder lifted in a small shrug. "I've got a lot on my mind. A lot to think about," she added after a moment. "I wish the answers would come out of the blue and I would suddenly understand myself...and what I want."
"You're saying you don't know what you want? In connection to your career, or what?"
"With everything, career included."
"I'm in there someplace, aren't I? Mixed in with all your other questions?"
She sighed again, softly this time. "Yes you're a part of my quandary. I never wanted to...well you know."
"Never wanted to?" he said in a husky whisper. "I've upset your equilibrium haven't I?"
"To say the least." Another sigh whispered through her lips. "My confusion is all your fault and...I'm accepting it."
"Not always."
"No. Not always. Sometimes I'm strong enough to say no and then something like this happens and I realise that I'm not always strong. Or sensible."
"But only where I'm concerned. Scully doesn't that tell you anything?"
"It certainly does," she said with a cynical little laugh. "It tells me I should stay the hell away from you."
He took his hand from around her waist and ran it down her side, clear to her knees. "I love touching you."
A shiver of pleasure danced along her skin. She couldn't help responding to his touch, sensible or not. "So," she said a bit breathlessly.
"You started thinking about keeping me in Seattle at our meeting this morning?"
"Since my eyes fell on your beautiful familiar face. I have to admit when I found out you were coming, my first thought was to get the hell outta here." He spoke cautiously, unsure of how long she would remain lying naked next to him, tentatively speaking around painful subjects. "But I couldn't help myself. I knew you'd recognise me. I wanted you to...I missed you so much." His hand came back up to her waist and drew small circles around her hipbone.
"I missed you too Mulder."
She looked away turning to the window. Mulder watched her profile for any hint of what she was thinking. In truth he had hurt her. He knew he had hurt her very much. Now she was lying here in his arms. In the arms of the man who had stolen her heart and trust so long ago. Mulder heard her rather forlorn sigh.
"What's wrong Scully?"
She gave a brief brittle laugh. "Us...like this." She sat up suddenly letting his hand fall away from her. "Mulder I need to go."
The mood swing he'd been expecting had just happened. Frowning he sat up. "Scully listen to me for a minute okay? We've got something special-."
"No," she said firmly. "We don't."
She was about to continue but the sound of her phone-ringing cut into her sentence. Without thought she jumped from the bed and rushed across the room to get it from her jacket that she'd draped over a chair in the kitchen. Mulder watched open mouthed at her naked form dashing through the door. Her voice was mumbled from the other room and he couldn't hear what was being said. He presumed it was David calling to see where she was. He would have done the same.
Soon she came back into the room and slowly walked back to the bed, oblivious to her state of undress. She seemed hesitant to rejoin him on the bed but soon she ran out of space and sat down next to him.
"Agent McLane?" he said sneering the name around his lips.
"Yes."
"Did you tell him you couldn't talk because you were engaging in sexual activity with your long lost FBI partner?" Mulder whispered with a smile kissing her bare shoulder softly, letting his tongue appear to join his wet lips.
"No, I forgot to mention that."
"Don't go Scully," he said suddenly, his voice heavy with need. "Please stay." The tone of his voice raised goose bumps on her skin. He tugged on her shoulder to get her to lie down with him again and she knew his body would be warm and sleek, and that he would offer her every physical comfort he could. He shifted his weight until the duvet could be pulled out beneath him. He smiled but she didn't see it, as she was looking the other way.
"Come on Scully, snuggle with me."
Sighing she glanced around at the scene he presented and crawled in next to him. He pulled the quilt around them both then burrowed his arm beneath her and cradled her head on his shoulder.
"Perfect," he murmured huskily, stroking the silky skin of her abdomen with his free hand.
Her panic died on her tongue with any declaration of leaving. Besides the pleasure was unbelievable. The bed was a double sized soft bed, but Mulder was a big man taking up a lot of space and it was impossible for her to lie next to him and not be aware of every inch of his body that was touching hers.
He was nuzzling her ear. "I could do this every day of my life with you," he whispered.
So could she, she realised, biting her lip and frowning slightly. But then his hand slipped lower on her belly and she stopped frowning. He moved his leg beneath hers to open her for his hand.
"Mulder," she whispered, all set to protest his boldness.
"Yes?" Gently he began exploring her, nipping and licking her neck and shoulder as far as he could reach. Her eyes closed and her words died on her dry lips. He chuckled softly in her ear. "Tell me you like what I'm doing."
"I think you can tell I like it," she said her voice hoarse and thick. She managed a challenging laugh. "Let's see if you like it." Her hand glided downward from his waist to circle him.
"Ohhh," he groaned. "Yeah I like it."
Crooking his elbow under her head he brought her face around for a long drugging kiss. When they both needed air he broke off, feeling her hot breath against his face as she panted beneath him. Her eyes were closed and a soft frown creased her brow.
"Scully?"
"I have to go Mulder." She made to sit up away from his enticing touch but a firm hand on her shoulder pulled her back down to him.
"No Scully, please stay."
Her eyes closed at the sound of his voice and she lay still. When she didn't move Mulder lay back down with her and tentatively put his arm on her waist. His head rested beside her shoulder and his lips brushed it lightly.
"For a while," he heard her murmur before her breathing relaxed and she fell asleep. He wasn't far behind her as he sank into her cool rhythm, her chest rising and falling beneath his hand sending him into a sleep of his own.
Scully woke in the darkness her mind swimming with sensations of a heavy weight on her belly, and hot air brushing against her shoulder. She turned her head and saw him sleeping next to her. A quick glance at the clock let her know it was half past two in the morning. Carefully she slipped out from beneath him, letting his hand rest on the pillow in her stead. Shivering in the cold she pulled on the Sonics t-shirt before going to the radiator to grab her clothes. Stealthily making her way out to the living room she called a cab using a number he'd written on the outside of a phone book that rested on the counter. She gave the address from an envelope and hurriedly put on her clothes.
For a few agonizing moments she waited in the silence willing the cab to hurry and when she could take it no more she went out to the street to meet the car, hoping it wouldn't be long. Luckily it rolled up to the curb as she got to the sidewalk and she climbed in calling out the hotel name. Looking back up to the apartment she thought she saw the blinds moving but expelled her paranoia with a sigh and sat back for the short journey. Fixing her jacket tighter around her she paid the driver and stepped out. Her keys fumbled in her shaking hands and she didn't hear the door to the room opening. "Dana." Jumping she turned to see David looking at her with a worried face. "Everything okay?"
"David...yes it's fine."
"Where have you been?" David hated to ask. He never usually pried into her private life, knowing how much she liked to keep it private but he never usually had a reason to.
"I was working on the case with...Detective Williams."
"All this time?"
"I guess we lost track of time."
He seemed unsure of what she was saying and walked to her door as she opened it and stepped in.
"Detective Shane mentioned that you worked with him before."
"He did?" She paused her jacket hanging in her hands hovering over the bed.
"He said it was a few years ago on a case. Was it when you were on the X files?"
"Eh, yeah. Before I was with the ATF."
"Is there something going on Dana? Something you want to tell me?" She dropped her jacket and he noticed the basketball t-shirt she was wearing beneath her blouse. He was sure she wasn't wearing that before. "Were you involved with him?"
"No...it wasn't like that."
"Look...if this is going to be a problem I'll understand if you want to get off this case...go back to DC. At least one of us can celebrate Christmas at home."
"No David. It's okay. I want to stay and finish this case. I'm hoping both of us can be home for Christmas." She tried to smile but she wasn't sure if it was convincing enough. "Okay, well get some sleep. I'm going over to St Oliver's church in a few hours to see if I can talk with Bishop Michael Reilly."
"I have an appointment in the hospital tomorrow with the toxicologist at 10."
"Okay. Goodnight Dana."
"Goodnight David."
He backed out of the room closing the door behind him but before it shut completely he stuck his head back in.
"Dana, if you want to talk...you know you can talk to me."
"Thanks David. Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
"I know. You're always fine."
He closed the door softly behind him and she tore off her blouse. Climbing into the cool clean sheets of her bed she snuggled the blankets up to her chin already missing the warm touch of his arms around her. David's words spun around her head while the soft cotton of the Sonics t-shirt she wore dispelled her fears with wonderful smells and memories. She couldn't help the smile that curved her lips as she closed her eyes succumbing to the tiredness her whole body felt.
Seattle Police Precinct
19th December 2004 10.50AM
Shane slammed the files onto the tabletop and ignored them as they floated to the ground, landing in a pile beneath his desk. His face was red with anger and his eyes dark and tired.
"This is ridiculous. Are you sure?"
David showed him the photo of the crucified victim and pulled the photo of Bishop Reilly from the pile of pages on the floor. He slid them across the table side by side and the identity was unmistakable.
"It's him. Father Donald King will make an official identification later today but it's definitely him."
"So what your saying is that our only suspect is the other unidentified victim?"
"Yes."
"Jesus Christ." Shane slapped the table again ignoring the smack of pain that shot up his arm.
"He was last seen leaving for Tennessee on Friday the 10th of December to visit a sick friend. He never made it. And the licence plate that was used for the inscription was registered to him too."
Just then Scully walked in and with a quick glance around the room she absorbed the tension. The file she held in her hand hovered over the table.
"Toxicology reports no foreign substances in the blood and apart from an over abundance of adrenalin they were clean. No painkillers or anaesthetics. Not even valium...nothing."
"So not only were these men, stoned, crucified and beheaded...you're telling me they were willing victims?"
"No not necessarily." She passed the file to David who leafed through it.
"They could have been victims of hypnosis, powers of suggestion making them agree to something they weren't quite aware of."
"Hold still while I nail you to this cross?" Shane exclaimed unbelievingly, his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline.
"Suggestion is a powerful thing Detective. The science of hypnosis is centred on it," she replied smiling at the thought of a similar conversation she'd shared with Mulder. Only this time she was doing the convincing rather than being convinced.
"She's right." They all turned to see Frank Williams leaning against the doorframe. Scully blushed and looked away but David saw the colour creeping into her cheeks before she did. "With no evidence of a struggle found on any of the bodies and no sedatives, we can only assume they were willing participants or..."
"Or hypnotised?" Shane finished for him. "I'm not buying Frank. All I know is we're back to square one with our only suspect to date dead in the morgue. We need to get moving on this and we need to move now."
David sat up and gathered the files again. He shuffled them neatly into a pile as the room sank under the heavy weight of the silence.
"I spoke to the parishners at St Oliver's and Holy Gospel. Possibly with background checks on the first victim we can find a connection. Is there somewhere I can get started on that?" he said rising and holding the files under his arm.
"Yes, interview room 4 has been set up with everything you need. Let me show you."
"David, I'm going to take a look at the baptism spot on Mercer Island that Rev. Jefferson used." Scully caught his wandering eyes and noticed something brewing beneath their cool blue surface.
"I'll take you out there." Mulder stepped forward to let Shane get out of the room to lead David to the mock office. David glanced back to see Dana's face at his words but he could read no reaction.
"No that's okay, I can find it."
"Well let me show you anyway." His voice was soft and diluted with forced pleasantness. His eyes told a different story and she presumed he had a few choice words for her, so she succumbed to his suggestion and walked out to the car park with him lagging behind her.
David settled into the office chair before the PC and refused Shane's offer of coffee. His mind circled her face looking for clues but as usual she was unreadable. He had never known her to be so erratic and it was worrying him. Knowing she was close with AD Skinner he picked up the phone and dialled the DC FBI switchboard.
"AD Skinner, please." He leaned back into the creaking chair and listened to the tinny Christmas carols play over the line while he waited for Skinner to answer.
"AD Skinners office."
"Hi it's Agent David McLane, I need to speak with the director."
"I'll put you through."
Another short blast of the seasonal music was cut off by Skinners gruff replay.
"Agent McLane. Is there a problem?"
"I'm not so sure."
"Is it Scully? Has something happened?" The level of concern Skinner was showing surprised David but he continued without saying anything.
"No sir. It's just she is a little distracted by this case. I was wondering if you might shed a little light on it for me."
"I don't understand."
"Detective Frank Williams...does that name ring a bell?"
"Isn't he one of the Detectives working on the case out there in Seattle?"
"Yes sir...but I was hoping you could tell me more. It seems Dana has worked with him before. She is somewhat distracted by him."
"I'm afraid I have no personal information on Agent Scully, nor would I pass it off if I had. I'm surprised at you Agent McLane."
"No sir it's not like that. I'm worried about her. She's not acting like herself."
"I will call her for a progress report but I suggest you concentrate on the case rather than Agent Scully's personal life."
"Yes sir."
David hung up the phone and rubbed his face with both hands groaning aloud into them. He took in a deep slow breath and let it out just as slowly before pulling closer to the PC and switching it on. He knew he was in the dark about something and he didn't appreciate all the subterfuge. She would speak to him in her own time he realised, but he wasn't sure if this case could take any more distractions. Pulling up the personnel file on Jared Wilks, David scanned through dates and times of arrest noting any ones that stuck out. He pictured them out by the lake, sifting through blades of grass hoping the answer would appear to them. Just then Shane arrived with coffee and donuts and pulled a seat up next to him.
"Yeah I know you said you didn't want any but I always find it helps for these background searches."
David smiled his thanks and sipped his coffee as he turned his full attention back to the screen.
Luther Burbank Park Mercer Island
19th December 2004 11.50AM
A small gazebo had been built by the edge of the lake and a banner across the top of it colourfully displayed the name of the holy gospel church. It was painted white and had a small christening stand in the centre. Over by the water a makeshift dock sank into the water. It was also painted in many different colours and bending down to it, Scully brushed her hands along its smooth varnished surface. Mulder walked back to the gazebo and examined the contents on the christening stand but found it clean and empty.
"This place is immaculately clean," he said as she walked over to him. She was wearing a black pantsuit with a light blue top underneath the smooth black jacket that hugged her figure. He couldn't help but picture the colour of her skin beneath his hands but she had barely said two words to him since they left the precinct so he didn't push it.
"Do you think its been cleaned deliberately?"
"Maybe the congregation keep it this clean." She nodded slowly her hand running along the inside surface of the stand.
"Possibly."
"So far with all religious deaths and religious inscriptions we can assume he is well versed in the bible."
"He?" she queried with a small twitch in her eyebrow.
"I'm working under the presumption that the killer is a male, white male, aged between 25 and 40. Common profile for serial killers especially religious fanatics. He's got to be a local man with knowledge of the activities of all men. Although Wilks was reported missing straight away, Bishop Reilly and Rev. Jefferson were missing for some time before the alarm was raised."
"A friend who wouldn't need to tie them up."
"A friend...who knew their movements."
"A common friend for all three men? We have yet to find any connection between these victims Mulder."
"The lack of a struggle, or evidence thereof is puzzling. Willing victims, no matter how willing don't lie there to be crucified." She muttered kicking the wet grass under her shoes as if she might find the missing piece beneath the mud. "Besides, Jared Wilks, who was stoned to death had abrasions on his arms and legs as if he were protecting his face. If he was willing to die he wouldn't have tried to protect himself."
"You think you missed something?"
"I'm afraid that I did. They could have been paralysed. Maybe with an injection on Botulium Toxin that in a high enough dosage can render a person temporarily paralysed"
"But you didn't find any trace evidence of that?"
"No. Nor could I find any injection point." She sighed heavily and crossed her arms against the cold wind. "If only there was a connection between the victims."
"Maybe David will pick something up today."
Scully didn't miss the sneering lilt in Mulders voice. His grey eyes were back in place and he hadn't shaved but what little hair had grown on his chin did little to disguise him. She glanced at him wistfully and he must have sensed her examination because he turned and caught her eyes.
"You don't like him do you?" she blurted out.
"Are you surprised?"
"Well yes. He's an excellent agent, Mulder."
"I'm sure he is...I just don't like him."
"Well as long as it's an informed decision you've made!" she said quietly her voice dripping with an unusual sarcasm.
"Why did you leave?" His question was sudden and loud, thrust out into the expectant air with little thought about consequence.
"I had to get back to the motel."
"You could have woken me."
"Mulder, I-"she began but he cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand.
"Yeah I know. We should just be friends, it's not you it's me, it shouldn't have happened...I slept in, I got a flat tyre, my dog ate my homework."
He walked off the gazebo and over to the shoreline where the dark water lapped the soft ground. The grass beneath her feet disguised her footfall, but he was instantly aware her small body standing so familiarly against his.
"That's not fair Mulder." She looked out to the water with him, neither of them making eye contact, content to watch the small waves. "It's been so hard for so long. I can't switch everything back on all of a sudden because you are here."
"I know." His voice was low and soft barely spoken and almost stolen by the wind.
"I don't think I could go through loosing you again. It all but killed me the first time. Please don't ask me to do it again."
"Scully..." He turned to face her, slipping her small hand into his.
"Scully I knew what was going to happen when you got here and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I could have left, but I didn't, I could have run again but I didn't."
"You had time to prepare Mulder." She kept her eyes steady on the lake.
"What can I do Scully? Go back to DC? Rejoin the FBI?" A small harsh laugh escaped passed his lips. "Reopen the Xfiles?"
"Its too much to take in Mulder. Give me a chance to process everything."
"I'm not sure if we have too much time."
"What do you mean?" she looked up to his half closed eyes.
"I can't stay here now. If you go back to DC...without me...then I'll move on."
"Mulder-."
"Williams. My name is Frank Williams." He said his name loudly, dropping her hand and walking away. She stared after him for a while about to chase him when her phone rang in her pocket.
"Scully."
"Agent Scully, I'm calling to see how the case is going."
"AD Skinner. The case? It's a different case. A tough one to crack." She watched Mulder climb into the car and slowly made her way towards it, the phone against her ear.
"No leads?"
"What little progress we make seems to only circle us back to square one."
"I see. And how about you, how are you doing?"
Scully sensed an ulterior motive behind his words and wondered briefly if he knew what she was really facing out here in the cold reaches of Seattle.
"Sir?"
"How are you holding up?"
"Fine sir. Somewhat frustrated but we'll get there. Hopefully before another victim is found."
"Good. Well keep me informed."
"I will sir."
She reached the car and climbed into the passenger seat as she slid her phone into her pocket. Mulder started the car and put his belt on. He could feel her eyes on him but he ignored them, keeping his eyes on the road. The traffic was heavy and they progressed slowly and silently towards the precinct. But before they could get off the island Mulder's phone rang insistently.
"Hello?"
"Frank, you still out on Mercer Island?" Shane's voice boomed across the line loud enough for Scully to hear.
"Yeah we're just coming up to the I-90 slip road."
"Well wait a sec," Shane said.
Mulder indicated and turned off the road parking against a curb on North Mercer way. Scully was giving him a curious look but all he could do was shrug his shoulders.
"Do you know the Church of the Latter Day Saints on 40th Street?"
"Yeah I know it."
"Reverend Hank Pearson."
"Ok."
"As far as we can tell...it seems that the victims were all acquaintances of his, from various city meetings, protests and clashed throughout the year. He is the only connection we can find between all these men."
"I'll check it out."
"Is Agent Scully with you Frank?"
"Yeah she is." Mulder risked a quick glance at her but just as quickly looked away.
"Okay. And Frank, be careful. We're not sure if this guy is the next victim or the perp."
"Alright Gary." Mulder tossed the phone onto the dashboard and started the car again.
"What's going on?" she asked as he did a U-turn and waved at a passing driver who let him out.
"It seems that the men were all connected. With one other name for the pot. Reverend Hank Pearson from the Church of the Latter Day saints."
"Suspect? Or Victim?"
"We don't know. We'll just go and ask a few questions."